By Dahiru Ali, Abuja, Nigeria | November 17, 2025
Nigeria’s media industry is mourning the loss of one of its most iconic figures, Mr. Dan Agbese, a respected journalist, columnist, and co-founder of the defunct Newswatch Magazine. He passed away on Monday morning in Lagos at the age of 81.
Family sources confirmed that Agbese died peacefully after a brief illness. His passing marks the end of an era in Nigerian journalism, particularly for those who followed Newswatch during its influential years in the 1980s and 1990s.
Agbese, together with Dele Giwa, Ray Ekpu, and Yakubu Mohammed, co-founded Newswatch in 1984. The magazine broke new ground with its fearless investigative reporting and bold political commentary, setting new standards for press freedom in Nigeria.
A graduate of the University of Lagos and Indiana State University in the United States, Agbese was widely admired for his clarity of thought, professionalism, and deep insight into national issues. Throughout his long career, he championed ethical journalism and mentored many young reporters who would later become media leaders.
Tributes have poured in from journalists, politicians, and civil society figures across the country. Many have described his death as “a monumental loss to the Nigerian press.”
In a statement, the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) commended Agbese for his “unwavering commitment to the pursuit of truth and the defense of press freedom,” calling him “a beacon of integrity and inspiration.”
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family in due course.
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